Fabric article

ABSTRACT

A fabric article includes a fabric having a first edge, a polymer coating extending along the first edge, and a locking feature integrally formed with the polymer coating that interconnects with a second edge of the fabric.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric articles, and more particularly to connections used in fabric articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Zippers have been ubiquitously used for the connection of two fabric edges. However, zippers can be heavy, unsightly, bulky, and inappropriate for some fabric articles. For example, stitching zippers to fabric edges usually requires the fabric to be punctured, which can be undesirable in some products. As a result, zippers can be largely undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides, in one aspect, a fabric article including a fabric having a first edge, a polymer coating extending along the first edge, and a locking feature integrally formed with the polymer coating that interconnects with a second edge of the fabric.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a fabric article including a fabric having first edge and a second edge. A first polymer coating extends along the first edge and a first locking feature is integrally formed with the first polymer coating. A second polymer coating extends along the second edge and a second locking feature is integrally formed with the second polymer coating. The first and second locking features are interconnected to adjoin the first and second edges.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric article in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric article in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric article in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric article in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a fabric article 10 including a fabric 12 (e.g., cotton, polyester, denim, etc.) having a first edge 14 and a second edge 18. A first polymer coating 22 and a second polymer coating 26 are applied to the fabric 12 along the first edge 14 and the second edge 18, respectively. For example, the apparatus and method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,086, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be used for applying the coatings 22, 26. The fabric 12 further includes a first side 30 and an opposite second side 34 both adjacent the first edge 14. The first polymer coating 22 overlies at least a portion of both the first side 30 and the second side 34. Similarly, the fabric 12 further includes a third side 38 and an opposite fourth side 42 both adjacent the second edge 18. The second polymer coating 26 overlies at least a portion of both the third side 38 and the fourth side 42. In an embodiment of the article 10 in which the fabric 12, but for the edges 14, 18, is otherwise contiguous, the side 30 is coextensive with the side 38, and the side 34 is coextensive with the side 42.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the article 10 includes a first locking feature 46 integrally formed with the first polymer coating 22 that interconnects with the second edge 18 of the fabric 12. The article 10 also includes a second locking feature 50 integrally formed with the second polymer coating 26 that interconnects with the first locking feature 46. The first locking feature 46 and the second locking feature 50 are interconnected to adjoin and secure together the first edge 14 and the second edge 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking feature 46 includes a channel 47 and a pair of opposed deformable detents 48 on either side of the channel 47, and the locking feature 50 includes a bulbous protrusion 51 that is receivable in the channel 47 and a corresponding pair of recesses 52 into which the detents 48 are snap-fit.

With reference to FIG. 2, a fabric article 110 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The fabric article 110 includes a fabric 112 having a first edge 114 and a second edge 118. A first polymer coating 122 and a second polymer coating 126 are applied to the fabric 112 along the first edge 114 and the second edge 118, respectively. The fabric 112 further includes a first side 130 and an opposite second side 134 both adjacent the first edge 114. The first polymer coating 122 overlies at least a portion of both the first side 130 and the second side 134. Similarly, the fabric 112 further includes a third side 38 and an opposite fourth side 148 both adjacent the second edge 118. The second polymer coating 126 overlies at least a portion of both the third side 138 and the fourth side 142.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the article 110 includes a first locking feature 146 integrally formed with the first polymer coating 122 that interconnects with the second edge 118 of the fabric 112. The article 110 also includes a second locking feature 150 integrally formed with the second polymer coating 126 that interconnects with the first locking feature 146. The first locking feature 146 and the second locking feature 150 are interconnected to adjoin and secure together the first edge 114 and the second edge 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the second locking feature 150 includes a tongue 151 and the first locking feature 146 includes a groove 147 in which the tongue 150 is receivable.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the article 110 also includes a first wire 154 positioned within the first polymer coating 122 and a second wire 158 positioned within the second polymer coating 126. Both the first wire 154 and the second wire 158 are positioned remotely from the locking features 146, 150 and improve the rigidity and strength of the underlying fabric 112. In addition, the article 110 includes a third wire 162 positioned within the second locking feature 150 to improve the rigidity, strength, and durability of the second locking feature 150. Although only a single wire 162 is shown in the illustrated embodiment, any number of wires or other suitable strengthening or support materials may be positioned within the polymer coatings 122, 126.

With reference to FIG. 3, a fabric article 210 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The fabric article 210 includes a fabric 212 having a first edge 214 and a second edge 218. A first polymer coating 222 and a second polymer coating 226 are applied to the fabric 212 along the first edge 214 and the second edge 218, respectively. The fabric 212 further includes a first side 230 and an opposite second side 234 both adjacent the first edge 214. The first polymer coating 222 overlies at least a portion of both the first side 230 and the second side 234. Similarly, the fabric 212 further includes a third side 238 and an opposite fourth side 242 both adjacent the second edge 218. The second polymer coating 226 overlies at least a portion of both the third side 238 and the fourth side 242.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the article 210 includes a first locking feature 246 integrally formed with the first polymer coating 222 that interconnects with the second edge 18 of the fabric 212. The article 210 also includes a second locking feature 250 integrally formed with the second polymer coating 226 that interconnects with the first locking feature 246. The first locking feature 246 and the second locking feature 250 are interconnected to adjoin and secure together the first edge 214 and the second edge 218. In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking feature 246 includes a first hook 247 and the second locking feature 250 includes a second hook 251. The first hook 247 and the second hook 251 interlock with each other to secure together the first edge 214 and the second edge 218 of the fabric 212.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the article 210 also includes a first wire 254 positioned within the first polymer coating 222 and a second wire 258 positioned within the second polymer coating 226. Both the first wire 254 and the second wire 258 are positioned remotely from the locking features 246, 250 and improve the rigidity and strength of the underlying fabric 212. In addition, the article 210 includes a third wire 262 positioned within the first locking feature 246 and positioned remotely from the first wire 254, and a fourth wire 266 positioned within the second locking feature 250 and positioned remotely from the second wire 258. The wires 254, 258, 262, and 266 improve rigidity, strength, and durability in at least one direction, while maintaining flexibility in other directions. In alternative embodiments, any number of wires 254, 258, 262, and 266 may be used.

With reference to FIG. 4, a fabric article 310 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The fabric article 310 includes a fabric 312 having a first edge 314 and a second edge 318. A first polymer coating 322 and a second polymer coating 326 are applied to the fabric 312 along the first edge 314 and the second edge 318, respectively. The fabric 312 further includes a first side 330 and an opposite second side 334 both adjacent the first edge 314. The first polymer coating 322 overlies at least a portion of both the first side 330 and the second side 334. Similarly, the fabric 312 further includes a third side 338 and an opposite fourth side 342 both adjacent the second edge 318. The second polymer coating 326 overlies at least a portion of both the third side 338 and the fourth side 342.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the article 310 includes a first locking feature 346 integrally formed with the first polymer coating 322 that interconnects with the second edge 318 of the fabric 312. The article 310 also includes a second locking feature 350 integrally formed with the second polymer coating 326 that interconnects with the first locking feature 346. The first locking feature 346 and the second locking feature 350 are interconnected to adjoin and secure together the first edge 314 and the second edge 318. In the illustrated embodiment, the first locking feature 346 includes a rail 370 and a recess 374, and the second locking feature 350 includes a hook 378, which partially defines a socket 382. The hook 378 is received within the recess 374, and the rail 370 is received within the socket 382. The locking features 346 and 350 are generally flexible and able to pivot with respect to each other.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the article 310 also includes a first wire 354 positioned within the first polymer coating 322, and a plurality of wires 386 positioned within the second polymer coating 326. The first wire 354 is positioned within the rail 370, and the plurality of wires 386 are positioned within the second polymer coating 326 proximate the socket 382 to improve the rigidity, strength, and durability of the first and second locking features 346, 350, respectively. Although each of the plurality of wires 386 is illustrated having a different diameter, the wires 386 may alternatively include the same diameter.

With respect to each of the embodiments described above, the locking features 46 and 50, 146 and 150, 246 and 250, 346 and 350 interconnect to form a waterproof seal. The waterproof seal is defined by a tortuous path. In other words, water must change directions more than once in order to penetrate the locking features from one side of the fabric to the other. The locking features do not require seam taping or sonic welding, methods currently used for waterproofing fabric seams. In addition, the locking features do not require the underlying fabric to be punctured, as is the case when stitching a zipper to fabric edges, thereby further enhancing the waterproof nature of a fabric article including the locking features.

Although the above embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of a fabric, other substrate material is also considered for incorporating the polymer coatings and locking features thereon. For example, cardboard, metals, or other polymers, may be suitable substrates. With each of the locking features described above, no sewing is required to interlock two edges of a fabric.

Applications of the fabric article include, but are not limited to camping and hiking equipment, upholstery and interior decor (e.g., window blinds), water sport activities (e.g., boating), personal clothing, and so forth. For example, a pop-up camping tent can include the fabric article to facilitate assembling the tent.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fabric article comprising: a fabric including a first edge; a polymer coating extending along the first edge; and a locking feature integrally formed with the polymer coating that interconnects with a second edge of the fabric.
 2. The fabric article of claim 1, wherein the locking feature includes a detent.
 3. The fabric article of claim 1, wherein the polymer coating is a first polymer coating, and wherein the fabric further includes a second polymer coating extending along the second edge.
 4. The fabric article of claim 3, wherein the locking feature is a first locking feature, and wherein the fabric further includes a second locking feature integrally formed with the second polymer coating that interconnects with the first locking feature.
 5. The fabric article of claim 4, wherein the first locking feature and second locking feature interconnect to form a waterproof seal.
 6. The fabric article of claim 5, wherein the waterproof seal is defined by a tortuous path.
 7. The fabric article of claim 4, wherein the first locking feature includes a detent, and wherein the second locking feature includes a recess in which the detent is receivable.
 8. The fabric article of claim 4, wherein the first locking feature includes a tongue, and wherein the second locking feature includes a groove in which the tongue is receivable.
 9. The fabric article of claim 4, wherein the first locking feature includes a ball, and wherein the second locking feature includes a socket in which the ball is receivable.
 10. The fabric article of claim 1, further comprising a wire positioned within the polymer coating.
 11. The fabric article of claim 10, wherein the wire is positioned within the locking feature.
 12. The fabric article of claim 10, wherein the wire is positioned remotely from the locking feature.
 13. The fabric article of claim 10, wherein the polymer coating is a first polymer coating and the wire is a first wire, and wherein the fabric further includes a second polymer coating extending along the second edge, and a second wire positioned within the second polymer coating.
 14. The fabric article of claim 1, further comprising a first side and an opposite second side both adjacent the first edge, wherein the polymer coating is disposed on the first and second sides.
 15. A fabric article comprising: a fabric including first edge and a second edge; a first polymer coating extending along the first edge; a first locking feature integrally formed with the first polymer coating; a second polymer coating extending along the second edge; and a second locking feature integrally formed with the second polymer coating, wherein the first and second locking features are interconnected to adjoin the first and second edges.
 16. The fabric article of claim 15, further comprising a first wire positioned within the first polymer coating.
 17. The fabric article of claim 16, further comprising a second wire positioned within the second polymer coating.
 18. The fabric article of claim 17, further comprising: a third wire positioned within the first locking feature and disposed remotely from the first wire; and a fourth wire positioned within the second locking feature and disposed remotely from the second wire.
 19. The fabric article of claim 15, wherein the first locking feature includes a detent, and wherein the second locking feature includes a recess in which the detent is receivable.
 20. The fabric article of claim 15, wherein the first and second locking features form a waterproof seal. 